WA's strategic importance and the defence industry

Western Australia is Australia’s gateway to the Indian Ocean. History demonstrates the importance of the West, with Albany and Fremantle as dispatch points for troop convoys to the Middle East and Europe in World War 1. In World War 2, Fremantle became the largest Allied submarine base, with over 170 American, British and Dutch submarines operating from WA.

Since the implementation of the Two Ocean Policy of 1987, Fleet Base West has emerged as the Royal Australian Navy’s key defence outpost on the Indian Ocean. Up to half of the RAN’s fleet is based permanently in Western Australia, including all six of the Collins submarines.

Western Australia recognises that Australia’s regional strategic environment has become more complex and will continue to change significantly throughout the 21st Century. As a result, Western Australia’s strategic location on the Indian Ocean, as part of this dynamic region, continues to have national implications.